Post actualizado el día September 30, 2026 by DeiviSanzPlay
Imagine this: You’re about to take a big leap in your life. You’re leaving Argentina behind to start from scratch in Spain. New opportunities, another lifestyle… but there’s something you can’t leave in the past: your years contributed to the Argentine Social Security system. Do you lose them? Can you get them back? What happens to your future pension?
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Luckily, you’re not alone in this. There’s the Bilateral Social Security Agreement between Argentina and Spain, and thanks to this agreement you can import years worked into the Spanish Social Security system. Yes, your contributions in Argentina can help you access a pension in Spain. But be careful, the process is neither automatic nor simple.
The first thing you need to do is request your employment history in Argentina for Spain. This is processed through ANSES (https://www.anses.gob.ar/) and is key for Spain to recognize your contributions. Additionally, the Spanish Social Security (https://www.seg-social.es/) will be responsible for recognizing your contributions abroad.
But how is this done? Spain and Argentina have a system of totalization of contribution periods, which means that if you don’t meet the minimum years contributed in one country, you can add the years worked in the other. This will allow you to credit years of work in another country and not lose acquired rights.
Another key point is the pension agreement between Spain and Argentina, which allows Argentine migrants to access an international pension for Argentine migrants. That is, if you worked in both countries, you can receive a pension that combines contributions from both systems.
To start the process, you must submit your application to the Spanish Social Security or ANSES. You can also consult the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations of Spain (https://www.inclusion.gob.es/) for more details. If you want more detailed information, the official page of the Argentine Ministry of Labor (https://www.trabajo.gob.ar/) can guide you.
It’s important to know that this process can take time. It’s not a matter of weeks, but months. Bureaucracy is no game and every paper counts. But if you meet the requirements and have patience, you’ll be able to transfer your pension contributions from Argentina to Spain without problems.
If you’re in this situation, the best thing is to inform yourself well and not leave anything to chance. Because when
1. What are Social Security contributions in Argentina?
Answer: They are the contributions that workers in Argentina make to the social security system, which cover pensions, health, and other benefits.
2. Why is it important to transfer contributions to the Spanish Social Security system?
Answer: Transferring contributions allows time worked in Argentina to be recognized in Spain, adding years of contribution for pensions and social benefits.
3. Can I transfer my Social Security contributions from Argentina to Spain?
Answer: Yes, it’s possible. Spain and Argentina have a bilateral agreement that allows the export of contributions so they can be recognized in the Spanish social security system.
4. How can I start the process of transferring my contributions?
Answer: You must contact the National Social Security Administration (ANSES) in Argentina to obtain a certificate proving your contribution time, and then present it to the General Treasury of the Social Security in Spain.
5. What documents do I need to transfer contributions?
Answer: You’ll need your DNI or passport, your contribution certificate issued by ANSES, and in some cases, additional documents that the Spanish authorities may request.
6. What is the agreement between Spain and Argentina regarding Social Security?
Answer: Spain and Argentina have an agreement to avoid double contribution and ensure that contribution periods in one of the two countries are taken into account for calculating pensions and benefits in the other.
7. How long does it take to process the transfer of contributions?
Answer: Processing time varies, but it can generally take between 6 months and 1 year depending on the complexity of the case and the documentation submitted.
8. Is all the time I worked in Argentina recognized?
Answer: In principle, yes. The contributions you made in Argentina should be recognized in the Spanish social security system, as long as they meet the established requirements.
9. Can I transfer my contributions even if I’m not currently employed?
Answer: Yes, you can transfer your past contributions even if you’re not employed at the time of the application.
10. Is there a time limit to transfer my contributions?
Answer: There is no specific time limit to request the transfer of contributions, but it is advisable to do it as soon as possible to avoid complications.
11. Do I need to be working in Spain to transfer my contributions?
Answer: Not necessarily. You can carry out the process without working in Spain, but it will be easier once you are registered in the Spanish Social Security system.
12. Can I continue contributing to the Argentine system while I am in Spain?
Answer: It is possible, but you will need to contact ANSES to see how you could continue contributing as an Argentine abroad.
13. How can I know if my contributions were transferred correctly?
Answer: You can verify it at the General Treasury of the Social Security in Spain. If there is any error or discrepancy, they will tell you the steps to follow.
14. Do my Argentine contributions affect the calculation of my pension in Spain?
Answer: Yes, contributions from Argentina will be added to your contribution time in Spain to determine your pension. The amount of the pension will depend on Spanish rules, but the time worked in Argentina will be taken into account.
15. Can I access healthcare in Spain thanks to my contributions from Argentina?
Answer: If your contribution time is recognized and you are already registered in the Spanish Social Security system, you will be able to access public health services in Spain.
16. What happens if I already have a retirement pension in Argentina, can I transfer it to Spain?
Answer: You cannot directly transfer a pension from Argentina to Spain, but the time worked in Argentina will be recognized for the calculation of your pension in Spain.
17. Can I request a refund of the contributions I made in Argentina?
Answer: No, contributions are not refunded. The option is to transfer them to Spain so that they count toward your pension or other social benefits.
18. Is it mandatory to transfer my contributions?
Answer: It is not mandatory, but it is advisable to do so if you have worked in Argentina and want that time to be added to your contribution record in Spain for your pension.
19. What are the requirements for my contributions to be valid in Spain?
Answer: The contributions must be correctly registered in the ANSES system and must be verifiable. Additionally, you must have worked in a job covered by the Argentine social security system.
20. What should I do if I have problems with the transfer of my contributions?
Answer: If you have problems, you can contact the National Institute of Social Security (INSS) in Spain or ANSES in Argentina. It is also advisable to seek help from a lawyer specializing in labor or immigration law.
